§ MR. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state if the Governor of Queensland or the Lieutenant Governor of New Guinea, in granting a land concession to the British and New Guinea Syndicate, forbid the enlisting of Kanakas by such syndicate or otherwise restrict them in employing Asiatic labour; whether any proposal in connection with the employment of Kanakas, Chinese, or Japanese by this syndicate has been submitted to the Colonial Office as any part of the transaction between the syndicate and the Governor of Queensland; and whether, if the employment of such Asiatic labour in New Guinea is contemplated by the syndicate, the Colonial 'Office will sanction such proceeding?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo. The agreement imposes no restrictions on the character of the labour which may be employed by the syndicate. Sir William MacGregor has stated that it is understood by the 938 syndicate that they would be free to engage local coloured labourers subject only to the laws and regulations of the colony. They also expect that if need should arise for more highly trained coloured labour the Government of New Guinea would be prepared to pass the necessary legislation to enable the syndicate to obtain labourers from the Pacific Islands or India. As to the last Question, I will consider the question if and when it arises.
§ MR. DAVITTAre we to understand then that this syndicate can enlist Kanakas for their purposes in this island?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESAs to that, first it will be necessary for the Government of New Guinea to pass the necessary, legislation, and then it will also be necessary that that legislation shall have my sanction.